Windproof lighter with hot filament

ABSTRACT

A lighter of the type having a filament energized by a battery for maintaining the flame. In order to save electric current an actuating element is provided which may be forced into the On position and which may be locked in the On position. This actuating element is released again when the cover of the lighter is closed. Operation is also feasible by releasably connecting by the actuating element the battery to the filament whereby electric current is saved except in conditions of high wind.

United States Patent 1 1' 1111 3,873,202

Pogrell Mar. 25, 1975 [5 WINDPROOIF LIGHTER WITH HOT' 3,372,306 3/1968 Koizumi 431/255 FILAMENT FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS [75] Inventor' Walter Neuenham 1.183.501 1/1959 France 431/132 Germany [73] Assignee: g l Aktgiengesenscham Frankfurt Primary E.\'aminerCarr0ll B. Dority, Jr.

am ermany Attorney, Agent, or FirmErnest F. Marmorek [22] Filed: Feb. 19, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 443,507 57 ABSTRACT A lighter of the type having a filament energized by a [30] Forelg Apphcatmn Pnomy Data battery for maintaining the flame In order to save 1 1973 Germany 2331972 electric current an actuating element is provided which may be forced into the On position and which Cl 431/13 431/255 may be locked in the On position. This actuating ele- [51] Int. Cl. F23q 2/08 ment is released again when the cover Of the lighter is of Search .1 elosed Operation is also feasible releasably con- 258 necting by the actuating element the battery to the filament whereby electric current is saved except in con- References Cited ditions of high wind.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,482,794 9 1949 Peterson .1 431 130 Clams 4 Drawmg Flgures 1 l l I l 1 l 1 1 i +13 1311.110 16 17 51' Q l 1 1 4 4 1 l 38 1 l 31 so 29 37 1 36 12 3: l9 337% 5 l 'fl Q (J. 28 2 L9 40 53% e 3 5 L1 g u 2 g 8 L6 39 L L I PATENTEDHARZSIQIS I, iiiiia I FIG. 2

new

WINDPROOF LIGHTER WITH HOT FILAMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a windproof lighter and particularly relates to a lighter of the type having a fuel container, a burner nozzle and a filament selectively connectable to a battery for igniting the fuel.

For a windproof lighter of this type it is conventional practice to provide an electric switch in the circuit hav ing an actuating element which may be pushed either into the on position or which may be returned to the off position by a return spring.

Lighters of this type, particularly gas lighters having a flame which is ignited by a filament connected to a battery, are characterized compared to lighters with a momentary ignition that the flame cannot be extinguished even during strong air currents or can be instantly reignited as long as the electric switch disposed in the circuit of the filament is maintained in a closed position. Accordingly, lighters with a hot filament are particularly suitable for outdoor use. For this reason they may be designated windproof lighters. Among the lighters with instant ignition are particularly those having a piezo-electric igniter or a magnetic igniter by means of which the flowing gas may be ignited by a single spark. When the flame extinguishes this requires every time a renewed ignition. Even this procedure does not guarantee that the flame during a still stronger air current remains burning a sufficiently long time for the desired application.

On the other hand, for lighters having a hot filament for ignition, the filament being connected to a battery, a problem exists in that the hot filament requires a relatively large energy. This is particularly true when the electric current must be maintained during the entire duration the flame is burning. Accordingly, it is either necessary to separate the function of the pressure key for the electric switch from the function of the actuating mechanism for the burner valve. Alternatively, it is necessary to provide further switching means in the circuit which interrupts the circuit after a period of time sufficiently long to permit ignition of the flame. Such a separation of functions may, for example, be effected with a type of lighter having a removable or hinged cover by providing a coupling between the burner valve and the cover of such a type that the burner valve re mains open as long as the cover is open. The ignition of the flame is effected by actuating a pressure key which maintains closed the switch disposed in the circuit as long as the key remains depressed. For igniters of this type the user has a tendency to release the pressure key after the flame is ignited because the flame remains burning and the cover remains open. However, when the lighter is passed on to another person, the release of the pressure key cannot be avoided. Particularly in this case, the danger of extinguishing the flame is large because during the process of passing on the lighter the air current increases. The weak glow of the hot wire which may be caused by a catalytic effect of the platinum or platinum alloy of the filament which frequently can be observed, is usually not sufficient to re-ignite the flame because the ignition temperature of the gas is relatively high. Lighters of this type have been known in the art.

Austrian Pat. No. 303,428 discloses a gas lighter where the pressure key for the electric ignition switch is coupled with the opening mechanism for the burner valve. In order to ensure that the current does not flow during the entire period of time when the burner valve is open, it is suggested to provide in the circuit either mechanically or electrically releasable additional switching means by which the circuit is interrupted after a predetermined short period of time. This patent also states that a solution is known whereby thermostatically acting means are provided in the circuit which are responsive to the flame by means of which the circuit is interrupted when a predetermined temperature has been reached.

All these known solutions require considerable means for their construction and installation and may also be subject to failure or malfunction to a considerable degree. The known solutions are based on the recognition that the duration of the igntition process should be made as short as possible for economic reasons. Sometimes means are' provided by means of which the duration of the ignition process is made independent of the operator. In other words, the necessity of saving the battery has been made more important than the operation of the lighter in a high wind.

It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention to provide a windproof lighter of the type previously discussed which combines substantially safe operation during wind with the greatest possible savings of the battery in the normal case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention by providing a windproof lighter having an actuating element for the electric switch which is associated with a locking element by means of which the return of the actuating element into the off position may be selectively locked or prevented. The invention is based on the recognition that in the overwhelming number of applications of a lighter it is not necessary to provide safe operation during a wind, In those cases a short ignition process should be achieved which saves the battery. In a smaller number of cases where safety of operation of the lighter during wind is necessary, the filament is to be heated as long as necessary and without requiring pressure on the actuating key. In these exceptional cases the load of the battery is increased, but this becomes immaterial due to the smaller occurrence of such cases.

Such a lighter has the advantages that selectively a windproof operation is possible while yet the battery is largely saved in the majority of cases. The adaptation of the lighter to the prevailing operation conditions may be effected by a simple adjustment. On the other hand, such a lighter is simple in construction and does not include sensitive parts suject to failure which may detract from the safety of operation. Concerning the meaning of the term safety of operation during wind, it should be noted that such lighters cannot only be used as pocket lighters by smokers outside enclosures, but are required for professional reasons for igniting kerosene lamps for building installations, for igniting rubbish and for heating devices for machines of all types. In an increasing manner such lighters may be used on balconies, terraces and in gardens for igniting windproof lamps, fondue burners and grills of all types. Particularly important is the use of such windproof lighters for thawing frozen door locks of automobiles pearked on streets in freezing weather. In order to ensure that after the actuating element for the switch has been locked, this position of the switch is not retained in case the owner should forget to unlock the device, it is proposed according to the present invention that the locking element is coupled with the cover of the lighter in such a manner that the interlock preventing closure of the switch is removed when the cover is closed.

A locking of the actuating element of the electric switch can be affected in this case, for example, by a second pressure key, a button or lever. A particularly simple construction which functions safely is a locking arrangement which may partly consist of a pressure key which is needed in any case. In accordance with a further extension of the invention the locking arrangement is characterized in that the structure of the actuating element of the switch extends at right angles to a wall of the lighter housing. A pressure key associated with the actuating element is movable over a limited distance and parallel to the wall. Further, the rearwardly extending surface of the pressure key is provided with a curve or cam surface of such a shape that in one limit position of the pressure key a return of the actuating element into the off position is possible; however, in the other limit position the arrangement remains in the on position. Suitably the curve surface of the pressure key is arranged as an inclined plane having two notched detents into which the actuating element of the switch engages in each limit position. The indication of the inclined plane and the special position of the detents is determined by the data of the switch and taking into consideration the switching path of the actuating element and the position of the switching points for the on and off positions. In one limit position of the pressure key the actuating element must be movable from the off position to the on position without interference and vice versa; in the other limit position the on position must be effected without requiring the application of force to the pressure key.

In order to remove the interlock during closure of the cover it is further suggested that the pressure key is connected with a pressure pin which is actuated by the cover and faces that side of the pressure key where the curved surface has the least height. The pressure pin should have such a length that when the cover is closed, only that limit position of the pressure key is possible from which the actuating element of the switch can be returned into the off position. The return spring required for the return movement usually forms part of the electric switch which suitably is arranged as a microswitch. It will be understood that the return spring may also be disposed outside of the electric switch and may, for example, act on the pressure key. The arrangement of a return spring associated with the switch for the actuating element is particularly suitable and the simultaneous arrangement of a further return spring for the pressure key.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood from the following description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an igniter illustrating the essential parts in the unlocked position; FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view similar to that of FIG. 1, but showing the lighter in the locked position; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the pressure key with its curve surface; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line IVIV of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing wherein the same elements are designated by the same reference number and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a windprooflighter 10. The lighter has an outerjacket consisting of a housing 11 and a cover 13 which may be opened by means ofajoint or hinge 12. The housing 11 is provided with a cap 15 disposed above a separating wall 14. Within the cap 15 there is disposed a flame exit opening 16 below which is disposed a hot filament l7 and a burner nozzle 18.

Below the Wall 14 there is disposed a chamber 19 for a battery 20, a gas container 21 having a burner valve 22 which may be arranged as a lifting valve and which is connected to the burner nozzle 18 by an elastic hose 23. Between the battery and the gas container 21 there is provided a vertical separation wall 24 by means of which a further chamber 25 is formed above the gas container 21.

In the chamber 25 there is disposed an electric switch 26, one terminal 27 of which is connected by means of a lead 28 and a terminal lug 29 with a contact rivet 30 which is in contact with the positive pole of the battery 20. The contact rivet 30 is secured in the separating wall 14 by interposed insulating plates 31. The second terminal 32 of the electric switch 26 is connected by a lead 33 with a terminal lug 34 which is connected to a nut 35 of the metallic burner nozzle 18. The burner nozzle 18 extends through the separating wall 14 from which it is isolated by isolating members 36; it also serves at the same time for conducting current to a carrying element 37 of the hot filament 17. The other end of the hot filament 17 is connected by means of a second carrying element 38 with the metallic separating wall 14 and the metallic housing 11. The housing 11 serves as a return conductor for the electric current to the negative pole of the battery 20. It is provided at the bottom of the housing with a contact device not illustrated; this constant device contacting a pole of the battery 20 may be similar to the conventional contact between a battery and the housing of a flashlight or the like. The other current path extends from the contact rivet through the lead 28, the switch 26, the lead 33 and the burner nozzle 18 to the hot filament 17.

Cooperating with the burner valve 22 by means of an actuating lever 39 there is an actuating rod 40 which is biased by a compression spring 41 which, in turn, bears against a stop 42. The actuating rod 50 extends through bores in the separation wall 14 and in the cap 15 outwardly and when the cover 13 is closed, it is biased by the pressure of the spring 41. In the position of the actuating rod 40 as shown in FIG. 1, the burner valve 22 is maintained closed. When the cover 13 is opened to position 13' the actuating rod is lifted into the dotted position 40, whereby simultaneously the actuating lever 39 is rotated into the position 39' while simultaneously the burner valve 22 is opened.

The switch 26 is arranged as a microswitch and is provided with an actuating element 45 whic is arranged as a pressure pin and which is longitudinally movably journalled in the housing of the switch 26. The actuating element 43 extends at right angles to the adjacent wall 44 of the housing 11 and against which bears a pressure key 45 provided at its side in the interior of the housing 11 with a curve surface 46 (see particularly FIG. 3). The curve surface 46 is provided with two notched detents 47 and 48. The wall 44 is provided with a cutout 49 which must be longer by a predetermined amount than the portion of the pressure key 45 extending outwardly through the wall 44. The extent to which the cutout is larger corresponds to the projection of the mean distance between the notches 47 and 48. The actuating key 45 is exposed to the action of a sinusoidally bent return spring 50 which simultaneously holds the pressure key 45 in the housing 11.

In the limit position illustrated in FIG. I of the pressure key 45, the actuating element 43 and thereby the switch 26 are in the off position. By physical pressure of the operator upon the pressure key 45 the actuating element 43 can be moved into the on position but returns immediately after release of the pressure key 45 into the off position. In the position shown the lighter is suitable for operation outside of strong air currents. In this case the largest possible savings of the battery 20 is achieved. The hot filament 17 is only subject to the battery voltage as long as a force is exerted upon the pressure key 45. The pressure key 45 is connected with a pressure pin 51 which may be at least partially flexible and which extends parallel to the wall 44 and through bores in the separating wall 14 and the cap 15 through the housing 11. When the cover 13 is closed the upper end of the pressure pin 51 bears against the interior surface of the cover 13, whereby simultaneously the actuating element 43 is forced into its unlocked state as illustrated in FIG. 1. Without opening of the cover 13, a movement of the pressure key 45 and of the pressure pin 51 into the dotted position 51 is impossible. On the other hand, during closure of the cover 13 the pressure key 45 is returned into the position of FIG. 1 under the influence of the pressure pin 51.

FIG. 2 illustrates the position where the cover 13 is open. Now the pressure key 45 can be moved up in the direction of arrow 52, whereby simultaneously the upper end of the pressure pin 51 emerges from the upper surface of the cap 15. In view of the curve sur face 46 the actuating element 43 is pushed in the direction of arrow 53 into the switch 26 to such an extent that the switch 26 is now in the on position. In this position the actuating element 43 is held without any force exerted on the pressure key 45. The actuating element 43 therefore cannot automatically return to the off position. The lighter in the position illustrated in FIG. 2 of the pressure key 45 is in an operating state which permits its use during strong air currents. The pressure key 45 can at any time be returned by hand into the position illustrated in FIG. ll. This is achieved in any case when the cover 13 during its closure movement pushes the upper end of the pressure pin 51 again into the cap 15 of the housing 11. Accordingly, the lighter cannot unintentionally be maintained permanently in the operating state where it is safe in a wind.

FIGS. 3 and 4 more clearly illustrate further details of the pressure key 45 andparticularly the two notches 47, 48 in the curve surface 46 arranged as an inclined plane. The pressure key 45 is provided with a roughened surface 45 which prevents sliding of the operators finger. Between the portion of the actuating key 45 extending through the housing 11 outwardly and the rear portion including the curve surface 45, there is provided an enlargement 55 resembling a circumferentially extending flange which also forms the support for the pressure key 45 and the housing 11. Since the pressure pin 51 is spaced from the flange 55 and since the upper surface'of the pressure key 45 is disposed essentially horizontally, a sliding movement of the lower end of the pin 51 along the adjacent surface on which it rests is possible when the key 45 is depressed. Hence the pin 51 need not necessarily be flexible.

I wish it to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to be secured by letters patent, is as follows:

1. Windproof lighter comprising:

a. a gas container in a housing;

b. a burner nozzle;

0. a filament disposed in the neighborhood of said burner nozzle;

d. an electric circuit including a battery and an elec tric switch for said filament;

e. means including an actuating element for moving said switch into the on position by the application of force;

f. a return spring cooperating with said means for returning said actuating element into the off position; and

g. said means including a locking element associated with said actuating element for selectively locking said actuating element in the on position and for preventing it from returning to the off position.

2. A windprooflighter as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking element includes means coupling it with a cover for said lighter whereby the locking element is unlocked during closing of said cover.

3. Windproof lighter as defined in claim 1 wherein the stroke of said actuating element extends at right angles to a wall of the housing of said lighter, and said locking element includes a pressure key associated with said actuating element which is movably disposed parallel to said wall and having on a side disposed in said housing a curve surface of such a shape that in one limit position of said pressure key, said actuating element can be returned into the off position while in the other limit position .of said pressure key said switch remains in the on position.

4. Windproof lighter as defined in claim 3 wherein the curve surface of said pressure key is arranged as an inclined plane having two notched detents, said actuating element being capable of engaging one of said notched detents in each of its limit positions.

5. Windproof lighter as defined in claim 3 wherein said pressure key is connected with a pressure pin on that side of said pressure key where its curve surface has the least height, said pressure pin being actuatable by a cover on said housing, said pressure pin having such a length that when said cover is closed, said pressure key can only move into that limit position where said actuating element is returnable into the off posi- 

1. Windproof lighter comprising: a. a gas container in a housing; b. a burner nozzle; c. a filament disposed in the neighborhood of said burner nozzle; d. an electric circuit including a battery and an electric switch for said filament; e. means including an actuating element for moving said switch into the on position by the application of force; f. a return spring cooperating with said means for returning said actuating element into the off position; and g. said means incluDing a locking element associated with said actuating element for selectively locking said actuating element in the on position and for preventing it from returning to the off position.
 2. A windproof lighter as defined in claim 1, wherein said locking element includes means coupling it with a cover for said lighter whereby the locking element is unlocked during closing of said cover.
 3. Windproof lighter as defined in claim 1 wherein the stroke of said actuating element extends at right angles to a wall of the housing of said lighter, and said locking element includes a pressure key associated with said actuating element which is movably disposed parallel to said wall and having on a side disposed in said housing a curve surface of such a shape that in one limit position of said pressure key, said actuating element can be returned into the off position while in the other limit position of said pressure key said switch remains in the on position.
 4. Windproof lighter as defined in claim 3 wherein the curve surface of said pressure key is arranged as an inclined plane having two notched detents, said actuating element being capable of engaging one of said notched detents in each of its limit positions.
 5. Windproof lighter as defined in claim 3 wherein said pressure key is connected with a pressure pin on that side of said pressure key where its curve surface has the least height, said pressure pin being actuatable by a cover on said housing, said pressure pin having such a length that when said cover is closed, said pressure key can only move into that limit position where said actuating element is returnable into the off position. 